Sheet assembling and folding machine



Jan 29, 1952 E. W. PETERSON 2,583,746

SHEET ASSEMBLING AND FOLDING MACHINE Jan. 29, 1952 E W. PETERSON2,583,746

SHEET ASSEMBLING AND FOLDING MACHINE Filed sept. 15, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet2 INVENTOR. 777.0 W/Dzev''on afgana.

4 Sheets-'sheet 5 Jan. 29, 1952 E. w. PETERSON SHEET AssEMELING ANDFOLDING MACHINE Filed Sept. 13, 1948 Jan. 29, 1952 E, W, PETERSON2,583,746

SHEET ASSEMBLING AND FOLDING MACHINE Filed Sep. l5, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet4 Patented Jan. 29, 1952 UNITED l'STATES m(PATENT OFFICE] Ericl'W'.P'eteifsiorn` Ottatvsoty Mich., assigner to Roy W. Le Moyne, Detroit',Mich.

Aenctionseptemter 13, 1945, serial Nol 49,105

'leonie-1s;` (crew-@45) i This invention relates generallyv toduplicating supplies and more particularly to a novel machine forassembling duplicator master sets.

For many years practically all of the manufac-` turers of hectographduplicating supplies have produced what is known as a duplicator masterset. The ordinary master set generally comprises a strip of master paperwhich is folded longitudinally in half with one of the folds carryinghectograph carbon dye, carbon paper, or some other suitable pressure"transferable coating. With this type of master set,the carbon dye bleedsoff of the sides of the paperand asa result the person handling the samegets the carbon dye on his hands because the dye has a direct afdnityfor moisture. This, of course, resultsinthe necessity of frequentwashing of the hands "with a special soap. The dye also has a tendencyto' transfer to desks and clothing because `after the master set hasbeen typed, and the panel or fold which oar-l ries the carbon dye orcarbon paper thrown away, it is not surrounded by any sort of-jacket orproA tective covering. Thus, after the master set Vhas been 'duplicatedand put into a file `cabinet or the" like, the dye on the reverse sideofthe master,

sheet transfers to other papers in thele cabinet and creates a verymessy condition.

Very recently a new type of duplicator master' set has been developed,which isidisclosed and claimed in patent application of Roy W. Le Moyne,Serial No. 40,510, filed July 24, 1948.` This master setis formed from astrip of masterpaper which is divided by perforations into threeinterconnected end to end sections. The 'carbon paper or carbon dye isattachedto one of the end sec" tions, and the two end sections arefolded over the intermediate section so that even after the secr tioncarrying the carbon dye or carbon paper is` thrown away, a protectivecovering is provided for the reverse side of the duplicatingintermediate section. This new type of duplicator master set has thecarbon paper attached to` theone end secs' tion of the master paper insuch a way thatit is indented on all four sides of the section, so thatthe dye therefrom will not transfer to the hands of the user while themaster set is being4 typed or being handled before and after thedu-``plicating process. A

While this new type of duplicator master set is far superior to theordinary master setgno suite` form. In the past, several types of"masterisetassembling machinesA `have lbeen*employed for5 assembling theordinary two-fold type of duplicator master sets. Most of these,however. are of the carbon coating type, wherein carbon dye is placedonhalf of a sheet of m'aster paper and subsequently the master paper isfolded over to bring an individual roll of carbon paper into contactwith an individual roll of master paper,

spot gluing the two together longitudinally, and then cutting theassembled strip into desired sections. Neither of these machines ormethods would be at all satisfactory for producing a threw" fold masterset of the type above described.

It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide a machine forassembling duplicator master sets of the aforementioned three-foldtype,`

in a completely automatic and continuous manner so as to eliminate needfor any manual handling or work in the assembly operation.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a machine of theaforementioned type which will, when a stack of master paper and a stackof carbon paper are positioned on the machine,

A automatically feed individual sheets of carbon vide, in a machine ofthe aforementioned type,'an

improved and novel arrangement for automatically positioning the carbonpaper in its proper indented position on one section of the masterpaper, and for transferring and moving the glued structure throughvarious folding stations, prior to depositing the finished master setsat a nal stacking station.

It is a further object of this invention to provide, in a machine of theaforementioned type,V

simple and efcient mechanisms for folding the aforementioned master setstructure into its three-fold form.

`It is a further object of this invention to provide simple andefficient means for synchronizing the operation of the working elementsof the machine so that the component parts of the master set areassembled in the proper relationship with respect to each other, beforethestructure passes through the folding mechanisms, and so that, whenthe machine is in full operation, each operating cycle ofthe machinewill produce a finished duplicator master set.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a machine of theaforementioned type which can be easily and quickly adjusted so as tohandle and form master sets of different sizes.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a machine of theaforementioned type, which is relatively inexpensive to manufacture,enicient in operation, durable in construction, and which will producemaster sets of the aforementioned type in an efficient and inexpensivemanner.

These and other objects of this invention will become apparent from thefollowing detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompa-nylug drawings, in which:

Figure l is a toprplan -view of the machine of this invention with someparts broken away for purposes of clarity;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of the structuregillustrated inFig. l, taken along the line 2 2 thereof; Y y

V,Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of the structure illustrated in Fig.1, taken along the line 3-3 thereof; n

Fig. 4Vis a front elevational view of the machine illustrated in Fig. 1,taken along the line f-4 thereof;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged view of the structure il lustrated in Fig. 4,taken along the line 5-5 thereof;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional view of the structure illustrated inFig. 4, taken along the line 6-6 thereof; and

Fig. 7 is a sectionalr view of the structure illustrated in Fig. l,taken along the line 1-'5 thereof. l

. Referring now to the drawings, it will beseen that the machineincludes a suitable supporting base or frame work, including front legs9, rear vlegs I6, a casting II which interconnects the legs 9 and Ii!intermediate their ends, a transverse main top plate I3, a longitudinalmain top plate I5, a stiffener I1 between the longitudinal main topplate and the casting II and a vertical plate I9 which is disposedadjacent the forward end ofthe longitudinal top plate I5 and is connected to the front legs 9, casting II and the top longitudinal plate. Avertically movable platform 2| is provided below and adjacent one end ofthe transverse top plate i3. A similar verticallymovable platform 23 isprovided below the transverse top plate I3, inwardly of the platform 2|.The platform 2| is adapted to support a stack of carbon sheets 25, whilethe platform 23 is adapted to support a stack of master paper strips 21which are divided into three interconnected end to end sections 28, 28and 28" by suitable perforations. Each sheet of carbon paper y 25 isnarrower in width than the paper strip and substantially the same lengthas each paper strip section.

detail. The vertical plate I9 is slotted at 3S) to receive a gib 3|. Theplatform 2| is connected to the gib and to a vertical rack 29, on theopposite side of plate I9, by any suitable means. The vertical rack 29meshes with a gear 33 which is carried by a shaft 34. Shaft 34 isrotatably supported on the casting I I by means of brackets 35. As canbe best seen in Fig. 6, a ratchet 31 is carried on the shaft 34 and isnormally engaged by means of a pawl 4|, which is carried on a bracketarm 43. Bracket arm 43 is rotatably connected at its forward end to theshaft 34 and at 'its rear end to VVan operating link of a solenoid 41.The solenoid 41 is normally open and tending to pull Athe bracket arm 43downwardly so as to cause the pawl 4| to rotate the ratchet 31 and raisethe rack 29. Connected to the under side of the main transverse topplate I3 above the carbon sheet stack 25 and therpaper strip stack 21are switches 5I. When the stacks 25 and 21 reach the desired elevation,they engage and actuate the switches 5I. 5I deenergizes the solenoids,thus maintaining the platforms 2| and 23 at the desired level untilfurther carbon sheets and paper strips are moved from their respectivestacks, by means which will be hereinafter described, at which time theswitches 5| will open and will energize the sole-- noids to cause theplatforms 2| and 23 to be raised again until the solenoids arede-energized by the engagement of the stacks with the switches 5I. Y

The first step in assembling the duplicator master. set is to secure asingle sheet of carbon Vpaper 25 to the adjacent end section 28 of theuppermost master paper strip 21. This may be done in various ways, butin the preferred embodiment herein illustrated, a' glue spotting deviceis provided for applying glue Spots to the end section 28 of theuppermost paper strip before the carbon paper is moved from its stackonto the paper strip section, as will be hereinafter described. The gluespotting device herein illustrated includes a glue pot 51, which ismounted on the plate I3 generally above the intermediate sections 28V ofthe stack of master paper strips 21. Three transversely spaced wheels 59are rotatably supported on the glue pot 51 and are adapted to rotatethrough the glue in the pot to pick up glue on the outer peripheriesthereof. A scraper blade 6| is adjustably mounted on the glue pot 51 forcontrolling the thickness of the glue on the peripheries of the wheels59. Three transversely spaced glue spotting fingers 63 are supportedabove the glue pot 51 and are adapted to wipe the wheels 59 to pick upVglue and apply the same to the end section 28 of the uppermost paperstrip 21.

The upper ends of the three glue spotting fingers 63 are xed atlaterally spaced points to a transversely extending shaft 61, which inturn is pivotally connected to the forward end of an arm 65. The arm 65is rotatably supported intermediate its ends by a shaft 15, on a bracket69 which is connected to the transverse plate I3. The rear portion ofthe arm 65 carries a roller 1| which engages a cam element 13, which isalso rotatably supported on the bracket 69 byr a shaft 16. A second arm11 is also provided for controlling the motion and movement of the gluespotting fingers 63. The arm 11 is connected at its forward end to theglue spotting ngers, intermediate the Vends. thereof, by Vmeans of atransverse rod 19. The rear end of the arm V11 is pivotally connected toone arm of a bell crank 8|,

The actuation of the switchesV which is rotatably supported on thebracket shaft 15. The bell crank member 8| carries a roller on therearwardly extending arm thereof which engages a second cam element 83.The cam element 83 is rotatably supported on the shaft 16 in the samemanner as the cam element 13. The glue pot wheels 59 and the camelements 13 and 83 are rotatably driven by a motor 85, which is mountedon the casting I I below the transverse upper plate I3. The motor 85 isdrivingly connected to the cam elements and glue pot wheels in anysuitable means, such as the belt and pulley arrangement 81 illustrated.In this way, the wheels 59 are constantly being rotated through the gluein the pot 51 and the cam elements 13 and `,83 are being rotated at aspeed so as to synchronize the movement of the glue spottingfingers53with the operation of the other elements of the machine, as Will behereinafter described.

When the cam elements 13 and 83 are rotated,

the cam element 83 will actuate-.the-arm 11, so as to cause the fingersB3 to wipe the glue pot wheels 59 and move there beyond into asubstantially vertical position. The cam element 13 will then actuatethe arm 65 to cause the latter to move downwardly and move the gluespotting fingers downwardly through transversely spaced slots 9| in theupper transverse plate I3, and onto the end section 28 of the uppermostpaper strip 21, adjacent the rear edge of the section.

It will be noted that the forwardmost of the plate slots 9| is spacedinwardly of the outer longitudinal edge of the paper strips 21 so thatthe glue spotting `fingers 63 will be able to spot paper strips, ofdifferent sizes, such as strips to z be folded into 8 x 5" master sets,or 8%" x 11" master sets, such as shown in the drawing. It should atthis time be pointed out that paper strips for either of these sizes arestacked on the platform 23 in a manner such that the per forated end ofthe section 28 is in the same posi tion on the transverse plate I3 atall times, for reasons Vwhich will hereinafter appear, and in order toenable the glue spotting device to spot the end sections 28, adjacentthe perferations, on both sizes of paper strips.

After the uppermost paper strip ofthe stack 21 has been glue spotted, itis necessaryto transfer a sheet of carbon paper from the stack 25 ontothe end section 28 of the uppermost paper strip, and secure the samethereto. This may be accomplished by the use of any suitable transfermechanism, but in the preferred embodiment illustrated in the drawings,la suction 'foot type of transfer mechanism 93 is provided. Themechanism 93 includes a yoke like member 95, which carries at the innerend thereof three transu versely spaced vertically extending tubularmemu bers or suction feet 91. AThe suction feet 91 are transverselyspaced in the same manner as the glue spotting fingers 63 and extenddownwardly through the transverse plate slots 5| so as t0 normallyengage the uppermost carbon sheet of the stack 25, adjacent the back endthereof. The upper ends of the suction feet 91` are connected to asuitable conduit 99, which in turn is connected to a valve |0| ina`suitable compressed air system, (not shown). The valve I0| is operatedby suitable means, such as a cam |03 on a cam shaft |05, which is drivenby the motor 85V through a gear reduction box |01. j

The yoke 95 is moved toward-and away from the paper strip stack 21 bymeans of a piston and cylinderV unit |09. The outer end of the pistonrod |I0 is pivotally connected to a crossshaft Ill ofthe ryoke195.at,..|-|3..t.1.'1he:yoke,95..is sup.-4

lil

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ported for horizontal movement by means of an'` opposed pair of rollersI I5, which are rotatably supported on the yoke by stub shafts II1. Therollers II5 engage and ride on opposed cam trackways transverse topplate I3. The piston and cylinder unit |09 is conncted by suitableconduits to a valve |2I, which is operated from a cani element |23 onthe cam shaft-|05. The valve |2I is connected in a .suitable hydrauliccircuit `or the aforementioned compressed air system. The cam elements|23 and I 03 are arranged on the cam shaft |05 in such a manner as to.operate the transfer mechanism 93 in timed relationship to the`continuously operating glue spotting device Therefore, .Whiletheuppermost paper strip 21 isbeing glue spotted, the cam elements |03 and|23 will cause a vacuum in the suction feet 91, so that the top `carbonsheet 25.y will be moved strip stack.

As the yoke 95 starts its movement an. upwardly inclined cam surface |25on the outer end of each earn trackway II9 causes the yoke tomoveupwardly a short distance and thereby pick up the top carbon sheet, sothat 4'the carbon sheet and the suction feet 91 can move across the topof a portion of the paper lstrip stack 21, without engaging the same. Asthe yoke 95 approaches the end of the trackways ILI9, therollers |I5engage a downwardly inclined vcamlsurface |21- on the rear end of thetrackways and the yoke and suction feet 01 move downwardly" and depositthe carbon sheet 25 on the end `section 28 of the uppermost paperstrip21. The cam trackways |29 and the length ofthe `strioke of, thepiston and cylinder unit IIlSa-re so arranged that at the end of theextension stroke, wherein the caru bon paper is deposited `on the paperstrip, the suction feet S1 will be directly over the glue spots appliedby the gluespotting ngers 83. The cam element |03 will.then actuatethevalve I0| i to force air downwardly through the suction feet 01 to breakthe vacuum between ,the carbon sheet and the suction feet and to forcethe carbon sheet down against the glue spotson the paper strip section28, so as to thereby positively secure the carbon sheet to the endsectionof the paper strip in the desiredV position. A,The cam element|23 will then actuate the valve f|2| to cause the piston and cylinderunitxandv the yoke .95,to return to their initial position, as shown inFig. 4. -The transfer mechanism is then ready to transfer the next sheetof carbon paper onto the next paper strip, in timed sequence with theremainder of the operating elements of the machine.

After the carbon sheet has beenrsecured to the end section 28 of theuppermost paper strip 21, it is necessary to move the paperstrip andattached carbon sheet oifvofthe paper strip stack so that the same maybe folded into the threefold jacket, and so that the next carbon sheetcan be attached to the next paperstrip; The uppermost paper strip, andattached carbon sheet, isl

moved from the paper strip stack onto the longitudinal top plate' I5,wherein the folding of the paper strip is accomplished. The'longitudinaltop plate I5 is provided adjacent' the transverse plate I3, with a firstfolding station I3I, a second folding` station |33, spaced rearwardlyfrom. the

rst station, and a finalreoeiving station |35, onto which thefinished'masterisets aredeposited. Any suitable transfenimechanism may.be ein-- ||9, which are `supported on the` ployed for transferring thepaper strip from its stack to thev rst folding station, and then to thevsecond folding station, and then to the nal receiving station, but inthe embodiment illustrated in the drawing, a suction foot type transfermechanism |31 isprovided.

The transfer mechanism |31 is best illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 andincludes a movable rack |39, on the under side of the longitudinal topteeth |43 along its inner longitudinal edge, which mesh withcomplemental teeth of a gear |45, which is rotatably supported on theunder side of the plate |5. The gear |45 also meshes with the teeth |41on one edge of a stationary rack |49, which is connected to the underside of the' plate I in opposed relation to the movable rack |39. Eachgear| is operated by a piston and Y cylinder unit I5I, which has apiston rod |53 extending forwardly therefrom and rotatably oonnected tothe gear |45. By providing the stationary racks |49 the length of thepiston rods |53 can be comparatively short, and the necessity for anextremely long piston rod is eliminated while the relatively longdesired movement oi theracks |39 is .obtained,.due to the use ofstationary racks |49.

The movable racks |39 have connected therewith, at longitudinally spacedpoints, generally L-shaped brackets |55, which extend from underneaththe Vplate I5 around the outer edges thereof so as to have a verticalportion which ex tends above the top of the plate I5 at the oppositesides thereof.v A bell crank member |55 is pivoted to the forwardmostpair of opposed brackets |55 above the top plate I5. Connected to andextending between the opposed bell cranl: members |56 is a tubularmember |51 which is connected to and supports a plurality of generally Yvertically extending tubular suction feet vplate I3, .so as toV engagethe uppermost paper strip of the stack 21. Extending through the tubularmember |51 is a conduit I'i which is connected to the suction feet andto a valve |63. The valve |63 is connected in the aforementionedcompressed air system and is operated by a cam element |55 on the camshaft |05 to cause the suction feet |59 to pick up the uppermost paperstrip 21, in generally the same manner as described for the carbon papertransfer mechanism suction feet. The lower arms of the bell crankmembers |56 each carry Va, roller |69 which is supported on and rollsalong a cam trackway I1 I, so that when the suction feet |59 are movedrearwardly they Will properly pick up the uppermost paper strip 21 andmove the same onto the first folding station |3| on the longitudinal topplate I5.

A second set of Vsuction feet |13 is provided in the transfer mechanism|31, rearwardly of the suction feet |59 and adjacent the second foidingstation |33. The suction feet .or tubes |13 are connected to an opposedpair of the brackets |55 by means of a tubular memberY 15, in generallythe same manner as the nrst set of suction feet. The suction feet |13are connected to the. conduit |5| and the operation thereof iscontrolled by the valve |53, in the same manner and in synchronism withthe operation of the suction feet |59. Rearwardly of the suction feet|13, a third Y set of transversely spaced suction feet |11 are provided.The suction feet or tubes |11 are connected to and supported by atubular member |19,

which in Yturn is connected between a pair of the opposed brackets. |55vwhich are connected to the movable racks |39. The suction feet |11 areconnected to the conduit l'l so as to beoperated from the vaive |53, aspreviously described. The tubular members |51, |15 and |19 on each sideof the longitudinal top plate I5 are interconnected Y by arms i3! sothat all of the suction feet operate in unison at the same time.l

rihe piston and cylinder unit I5I which operates the rack gear |45 isconnected by suitable conduit means with a valve |83, which in turn isconnected in either the aforementioned conipressed air system or asuitable hydraulic system. Valve |83 is operated by a cam element |85 Yon the cam shaft H25, in timed relation. with the remainder of 'theoperating parts of the machine, will hereinafter appear, in order tooperate the gear |45 at the proper intervals and times. When the pistonand cylinder unit |5| is actuated by the valve |83, the gear |45 willmove the rack |39 y rearwardly with respect to the longitudinal topstrip from the second folding station |33 to the fr ial receivingstation v| 35. Before the piston and cynnder unit moves the transfermechanism rearwardly the valve |53 is automatically operated by its camelement |55 on the cam shaft |35 to create a vacnum'in the suction feetso that the latter will pick up the paper strips and move them to theirrespective stations. After the transfer mechanism has completed itsrearward movement the valve |53 relieves the vacuum in the suction feet|59, |13 andV |11 so that the paper stripsqwill be deposited at theirrespective stations. The valve |93 then causes the piston and cylinderunit |-5I to return the entire trans-V fer mechanism |31 to its initialstarting position,

als shown in Fig. 3. Y Y

A stationary folding shoe |81 is provided at the iirst folding station|3| and has its forward end connected to the main transverse top plateI3 and its rear portion extending rearwardly therefrom just above thelongitudinal top plate l5. The outer edgeV 8% of the stationary foldingshoe IS1 is positioned so as to be in alignment with the periorationsbetween the paper strip sections 23 and 23', which perforation, aspreviously pointed out, is always positioned at the saine location onplatform 23,'regardless of the size of the paper strip. Therefore, lwhenthe Ysuction feet |59 move the paper strip from its vstack onto thelongitudinal top plate l5, the paper strip will slide beneath thestationary f zding shoe |81 and be deposited with the perforated end ofits outermost section 28 beneath and in alignment with the outer bottomedge |89 of the shoe.

In order to fold the end section 26 ofY the paper strip over theintermediate section 29', a movable folding shoe |9I is provided. Thefolding shoe I9! includes a stationary end portion |93, which is securedto the top plate l5 adjacent the stationary shoe |81 and a movableportion |95 which is hingedly connected to the stationary portion. Themovable portion |95 Vis connected to the upper flat edge of a gearsegment |99 which is disposed below an opening 20| in the plate I5. Thelower portion of the gear segment |99 is toothed at 203 to mesh With theteeth of an idler gear 205. The idler gear 205 meshes with the teeth ofa gear segment 201, which is rotatably connected at 269 to a bracket 2II, Which in turn is supported on the casting I I. The gear segment 201is connected by means of a link 2|3 to the upper end of a piston rod 2I5of a piston and cylinder unit 2I1. The piston and cylinder unit 2|1 inturn is connected by suitable conduit means to a Valve 2| 9, which isoperated by a cam element 22| on the cam shaft |05. The valve 2 I 9 maybe connected in eitherthe aforementioned compressed air system or asuitable hydraulic system, so that its actuationwill cause extension orretraction of the piston rod 2I5. The cam element 22| is arranged on thecam shaft |05 so as to causethepiston and cylinder unit 2| 1 to operateafter the paper strip hasv been moved into its proper position at therst folding station I3|. Thus, when the piston and cylinderunit 2I1 isactuated, the piston rod 2I5 will move downwardly and Will rotate thegear. segment 201 to the right, as seen in Fig. '1, and will cause themovable portionl95 of the folding shoe ISI to swing over the stationaryfolding shoe |81 and thus fold the end section 28 of the paper strip,which carries the carbon sheet, over the intermediate strip section'28.After the folding shoe `has folded the paper strip the valve 2|9 will beactuatedlto return the piston rod 2I5 toits initial substantially`horizontal position.

After this folding operation has been` completed the valve `|83 Willactuate thepiston and cylinder unit |5I and the suction feet I13Willmove the partially folded paper strip to the `second folding station|33. The second folding station is likewise provided with a stationaryfolding shoe 223, under which the partially folded paper strip is moved.The stationaryI folding shoe 223 is adjustable transversely ofthe topplate I5, in order to accommodate various sized master `sets which itmay be desired to form. 'I'he forward end of the folding shoe 223 isconnected to a transversely extending vertical plate 225, which issupported at its opposite ends by suitable Abrackets 221. The foldingshoe 223 is adjustably connected to the plate 225 by means of a channelshaped bracket element 23|, which fits over the plate 225 and isconnected to the forward end of the folding shoe by bolts 233', as bestseen in Fig. 3. The plate 225 has a pair of spaced stop elements 235 and231 thereon. The stop 235 is employed when it is desired tofold 8%" x 1lmaster sets and the stop 231 -is employed when itis desired to fold 8" x5" master sets. Thus, if l81/2" x l1" master sets'are being folded, thestationary shoe 223 is moved into engagement with the stop 235, so as toproperly position it. However, if 8" x 5" master sets are being folded,the shoe is moved to engage the stop 231 so as Ito properly position itfor folding this size master uset. Other stops may of coursev beprovided, in accordance With the sizes of the master sets to .be formed.A movable foldingshoe 239 4is profvided adjacent the stationary folding?shoe 223,

@and the movable folding shoe 239 is identical in f construction withthe shoe I9I previously 1de-` i scribed. The movable folding shoe 2391sactuated ...bygeara a piston rod,and a piston and cylinder 10 of its'adjacent identical mechanism. The piston and cylinder unit 2|1, for thefolding shoe 239, is connected with the valve 2I9 in the same manner asthe unit 2 I1 for folding shoe |9I, and is operated and actuatedsimultaneously therewith, so as to fold the opposite end section 28" ofthe paper strip over the intermediate paper strip section 28 and the endsection 28 which carries the carbon sheet. It will be approciated thatthe folding shoe 239 and its operating mechanism can be easily adjusted,as shown in dot and dash lines in Fig.` 1, to accommodate either sizemaster set, as set forth above. Thus, when the machine is in fulloperation one paper strip will be folded at the first folding stationwhile a second paper strip will be simultaneously folded at the secondfolding station. It will; of course, be appreciated that, by a merereversal of certain of the elements, the end section 20" could be folded`over the .intermediate `section priorto the end section 28, and forcertain purposes such a folding' arrangement may be desirable.

'After the paper strip has been folded at the second folding station,the' valve I B3 will be actuated to create a vacuum in all ofthe.suction feet and the valve |63 will actuate the piston and cylinderunti` I5I, causing the transfer .mechanism |31 to move to the rear with.the suction feet |11 carrying the completely folded master set from thesecond folding station to the nal receiving station |35. Thenalreceiving station |35 comprises an ,z opening 243xin the plate I5,through which the folded master set drops'when released by the suctionfeet |1.,1.. ,Below the opening 243, a vertically movable .platform 245isl provided, which isguidedforvertical movement in ways in averticalbracket or stanchion 24'1. The vertical movement of the?platform 245 is'controlled by means of a clock spring 249 which isconnectedl between the Vplatform and the stanchion 241. Thus, theplatform 245 is normally disposed just below the plate opening 243, butas finished master sets are deposited thereon their Weight will move theplatform245 downwardly against the action vofthe spring 2 49 untilitengages thecasting II, at vwhich time an ,operator removes the stack offinishedmaster sets.

Itwill, of course, be appreciated that the cam elements on the `camshaft |05 are so shaped and related Awith respect to each otheras tooperate the suction feet, transferimechanisms and foldingmeohanisms ofthe machine in a zzo-ordinated relationshipvvith respect to each other,so that for each` operating `cycle of the machine one finished masterset is produced. It must be appreciated and understood that when themachine is in full operation each of the stations or Y, operatingportions of the machine are operating substantially s simultaneously,that is, while a carbon sheet is beingattachedtoV one paper strip,another paper strip is being folded at the first folding statiomstillanother paper strip is being folded at the second folding` station, andstill another paper stripis being deposited in thcfllal receivingstation, so that the machine rapidly assembles the master sets andproducesat least onefinished master set for each cycle4 of its oper,-ation. i i

It will also be appreciated that `this machine is relatively simple in`construction and will automatically `and Acontinuously handle a largenumher of master setszandwill eliminate any manual operationswhatever'inltlie forming of the finished wmasterisetsr.. Thusthemaster-sets can be manufactured in i `a pm uch more inexpensive``manner Vforassembling other types of duplicator mastersets withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention. For example, if it is desiredto assemble. a duplicator master set of the two-fold type, in which asheet of carbon paper is attached to one section and the other sectionfolded thereover to provideV a protective covering, the machine of thisinvention could easily form'such a master set if one-of the foldingstations were eliminated therefrom. Similarly, other types of mastersets could be formed inY this machine byreither adding or eliminatingone or more of the folding stations.v

`What is claimed is:

1. A machine for assembling duplicator master sets of the type in whicha sheet of carbon paper i is attached to and folded into a unitary paperjacket formed from a single strip of paper, which j i is dividedintothree interconnected end to end sections, including'means for supportinga stack of paper strips, means disposed adjacent said paper strip stacksupporting meansfor supporting a stack of carbon sheets, a device forglue spotting one end section of the uppermost paper Vstrip of saidstack, mechanism for transferring a single carbon sheet from its stackand positioning it on said glue spotted paper strip section so that saidcarbon paper will-adhere to said secif,

tion, a plurality ofV stations adjacent said paper strip stack at whicheach paper strip with its fattache'd carbon sheet is folded, mechanismfor 'transferring' said uppermost paper strip and g attached carbonsheet from said paper strip stack i to the first Yfolding station, adevice at said first folding station for folding one end section of saidpaper strip over said intermediate section, mechanism for transferringsaid partially folded paper strip'from said first folding station to asecond foldingstatiom a device at said second folding station forfolding said third paper strip section over said other two sections,transfer mechanism for moving said folded paper jacket away from saidsecond folding station, means for operating said transfer mechanisms soas to cause simultaneous movement of the paper strips from their priorstations to a subsequent station and a carbonsheet'from its stack to apaper strip; and

synchronizing means for co-ordinating the oper- A `ationjof saidtransfer mechanisms and said fold- -ing devices so that each master setis automatically moved through said machine and each operating cycle ofsaid machine will produce a n- 1 ished duplicator master'set. y

2. A machine for assembling duplicator master sets of the type in whicha sheet of carbon paper isfattached to and folded into a unitary paperjacket formed from a single strip of paper, which is divided intointerconnected end tol end sections,

including means for supporting a plurality of stacked paper strips,means for supporting a stack' I of carbon paper sheets, transfermechanism for moving a single sheet of carbon paper from its stack Vonto one'section of the uppermost paper strip of said stack, a device forapplying means towsaid paper strip section to cause'said carbon? sheetto adhere to said section Vwhen positioned zthereon, means including agenerally flat surfacev VVadjacent to and extending angularly from saidpaper strip stack supporting means for supporting said individual paperstrips and attached carbon sheets for folding, transfer mechanism formoving said uppermost paper strip and attached carbon sheet from saidpaper strip stack onto and along said supporting means fiat surface, aplurality of folding devices spaced along said flat surface, for foldingthe sections of said master set relative to each other, each deviceincluding an element having a substantially fiat surface movabletowardand away from the plane of said supporting means flat surface forengaging the master set and folding the latter, transfer mechanismincluding means adjacent each folding device for simultaneously movingan individual paper strip from itsV stack to the rst folding device andfrom one folding device to another,

means fo r operating said transfer mechanism so i as to causesimultaneous movement of the Ypaper strips from device to Vdevice and acarbon sheet from its stack to a paper strip and synchronizing mechanism(3o-ordinating the operation of said transfer mechanisms and foldingdevices so that each operating cycle of said machine will produce anassembled duplicator master set.

3. A machine for assembling duplicator master sets of the type in whicha sheet of carbon paper is attached to and folded intoA a unitary paperjacket formed from a single strip of paper divided into interconnectedend to' end sections, including a mechanism for positioning a sheet ofcarbon `paper on one of said sections, a device for'applyn ing means tosaid paper strip section to cause said carb-on paper to be connected tosaid section when positioned thereon, mechanism for folding i the masterset including a stationary folding shoe, 'a movable folding shoe adaptedto fold one of said paper strip sections over said stationary foldingshoe, mechanism for operating said movable folding shoe, transfermechanism including means adjacent said positioning mechanism andfolding' mechanism for simultaneously moving a carbon paper onto a paperstrip, and a paper strip and attached carboniA paper to said foldingV 4.A machine for assembling duplicator master y sets ofthe type in which asheet of carbon paperV is attached to and folded into aunitary paperjacket formed from a single strip of paper which is divided intointerconnected end to end sections. including a glue spotting device forapplying glue to one end section of said paper strip, mechanism forpositioning a sheet of carbon paper on said glue spotted section Vsothat said carbon paper adheres to said section,mechanism for folding amaster setincluding la Ystationary folding shoe,

Va movableyfolding shoel adapted to fold one of said paperY stripsections over said stationary folding shoe, mechanism for operatingsaidV movable foldingshoe vtransfer mechanism including means adjacentsaid positioning-mechanism and Yfolding mechanism Vfor simultaneouslymoving a Y carbon paper onto a' paper strip, and a paper strip fandattachedcarbon paper to said folding mechanism, and meansforoperating said transfer mechanismwtoV cause simultaneous movement of.the carbon paper toV a paper strip and the paper ape-smc ating cycle ofsaid machine will :produce a finished duplicator master set. l

l 5.'A machine for assembling duplicator `master sets of thetype inwhich a sheet of carbon paper is attached to and folded into a unitarypaper Vjacket formed from a single strip of paper which is divided intothree interconnected end to end sections, including vertically movableplatform means for supporting a plurality of stacked paper fstrips,vertically movable platform means for supporting a-stack of carbon papersheets adjacentto said platform means for saidY paper strip stack,transfer mechanism for movinga single sheetv ofvcarbon paper from itsstack onto one section of the uppermost paper strip of said paperstripstack, means for varying the vertical posi- `tion of said platformsso as to lmaintain the v,uppermost carbon sheet and uppermost paper`stri-p at a 4pre-determined elevation atall times. whereby theuppermost sheet of carbon paper andthe uppermostlpaper strip aremaintained"A inthe proper position to enable said transfer mechanism toproperly operate, a glue spotting device for applying glue to the endsection of said paper strip on which said carbon sheet is `positionedsoas to cause said carbon sheet to adhere to said paperstrip` section,means adjacent` tofsaid paper strip platform for supporting individualfpaper strips and attached carbon -sheets for folding, transfermechanism for moving said uppermost paper strip and attachedcarbon sheetfrom said paper strip stack to said folding `supporting means, a devicefor folding one end section over said intermediate paper strip`section,'a device forfolding said third section over said other twosections, transfer mechanism including means adjacent said foldingdevices for simultaneously moving a paper strip from Yonefolding deviceto another, means for operatingv `said transfer mechanisms so as tocause `simultaneous movement of the paper stripsfrom one folding deviceto another and a carbon sheet to a paper strip and synchronizingmechanism co-ordinating the operation of said transfer ymechanisms andfolding devices, so that each operating cycle of said machine willproduce an assembled duplicator master set.

6. A machine for assembling duplicator master -sets of the type in whicha sheet of carbon paper y.is attached to `and folded into a unitarypaper jacket `formed from a single strip of paper which is divided-intofthree interconnected end to end sections, including means for`supporting a plurality of stacked paper strips, means for supportling astack of carbon paper sheets, transfer mechanism for moving a singlesheet of carbon paper from itsW stack onto one section of the uppermostpaper strip of said stack, a device for ,applying means to said paperstrip section'to cause said carbon sheet to adhere to said section `whenpositioned thereon, a plurality of folding stations spaced transverselyof the direction of movement of said transfer mechanism, one behind theother and including a first folding station adjacent said paper stripstack for supporting an individual paper strip with acarbon sheetattached thereto, a second folding station adjacent said ilrst foldingstation for supporting a partially folded paper strip and attachedcarbonsheet, a transfer mechanism for, `simultaneously moving 'an individual,paperstrip from itsistack :to sarde mst-nadine 'stamm afpartiaiiyfolded paperffstrip. from saidfirst folding station to saidsecond foldingstation, `and a'finished master set away from said secondfolding station each `of said transfer mechanismsrincluding an elementfor engaging the paper strip so as not to be movable frelative Vtheretountil released therefrom, means for :operating said transfer mechanismso `as to cause simultaneous movement` of the paperustrips from vtheirprior position or station `toxthesubsequent station,:a device at saidrst folding station' `for folding one end section of said paper strip`over said intermediate paper strip section, a device atsaid secondfolding station for foldingsaid third paper strip sectionover said other'two' sections, and synchronizing mechianism (1o-ordinating the'Aoperation of said transfer :mechanisms and. folding devices so that eachoperating cycle. of said machine will produce an assembleddnplicatormaster set.

7: A machine for assembling duplicator' master sets of the'type vinwhich a sheetof carbon paper is attached to and folded into a unitarypaper jacket formed from a singleV strip of paper which lis divided intothree interconnected end to end sections, including means for supportinga plurality of stacked paper strips, means for supporting a' stack of lcarbon paper sheets, transfer mechanism for moving a single sheet ofcarbon paper from'its stack` onto one end section of thenpperniostfpaper stripof said stack, a device for applying means tosaidpaper strip section to causesaid carbon sheet to adhere to said section`when positioned thereon, 'a first kfolding station adjacent said paperstrip stack for supporting an individual paper strip "with a Vcarbonsheet attached thereto, ase'cond folding station adjacent saidrstfoldingfstation for supporting a partially folded paper" strip andattached carbon sheet,` atransfer'mechanism for simultaneously moving anindividual paperstrip from its stack to said first folding'station', apartially folded lpaperv stripf'from said rst'folding station to saidsecond folding station, and a finished master set away vfromwsaidf`second folding station, means for operatingsaid transfer mechanism. soas to caus'e'said'simultaneous movement of said paper strips 'to eachKofsaid` stations, a` device at said 'first 4folding station for foldingone end section Yover said"intermediate"paperstrip section, in-

`cluding= a 'stationary folding shoe, a movable folding shoe-adaptedtofold said paper strip `sectionover said stationary folding shoe,mechainismf; foroperating said movable folding shoe, adevicefatsaidfsecond folding station for fold- 'ingsaidfthird section over'lsaid'other two sec'- tions, including an adjustable stationaryfolding (shoe,means adiustably-supporting said stationary folding shoe sothatV thelatter maybe ad- Ajusted forfoldingfvarioussized master sets, an

adjustable movable folding shoe for folding said `paper strip sectionover said stationary folding shoe.: mechanism for operating ysaidmovable foldingshoe, and synchronizing mechanism co-ordinating theoperation of said transfer mechanisms and .folding devices so thateachoperating cycle cf said machine will produce an assembledduplicatormaster set. v l

8. A machine for assembling duplicator master sets of the type in whicha sheet of carbonpaper is attached to and folded into a unitary` paperjacket fformedfroma single strip of paper which .is ,-Idivided intothree `interconnected endV to end Wsectionsincluding aframe worksupporting structure.1` a.r transverse rplate ,supported by said `struc-"l Y ture and having a plurality of transversely spaced longitudinallyextending slots therein, a longitudinal plate located adjacent saidtransverse plate and supported on said supporting structure,

means below said transverse plate for supporting a stack of paperstrips, means below said transverse plate for supporting a stack ofcarbon sheets, a glue spotting device supported on said transverse plateand including a plurality of c spaced glue spotting fingers adapted tomove downwardly through said transverse plate slots Y so as to engagethe uppermost carbon sheet, means for causing said suction feet to pickup said uppermost Ycarbon sheet and transferV it to said paper strip endsection, means for operating said glue spotting device in timedrelationship to said transfer mechanism, a plurality of folding stationson said longitudinal plate, transfer mechanisrn for moving the uppermostpaper strip and attached carbon sheet from its stack and onto the rstfolding station on said longitudinal plate, mechanism at said rstfolding station for folding one end section over said intermediate paperstrip section, transfer mechanism for moving said partially folded paperstrip from said first folding station to a second folding station,mechanism at said second folding station for folding the third endsection of said paper strip over said other two sections. transferVmechanism for moving said folded paper strip away from said secondfolding station, and synchronizing mechanism co-ordinating the operationof said transfer mechanisms and folding mechanisms so that eachoperating cycle of said machine will produce Van assembled duplicatormaster set.

V9. A machine for assembling duplicator master sets of the type in whicha sheet of carbon paper is attached to and folded into a unitary paperjacket formed from a single strip of paper which is divided into aplurality of interconnected end to end sections, including means forsupporting a stack of paper strips, means for supporting a stack ofcarbon sheets, a device for glue spotting one section of the uppermostpaper strip of'said stack, mechanism for transferring a single carbonsheet from its stack and positioning it on said glue spotted paper stripsectionV so that `said carbon -paper will adhere to said section,

one or more stations adjacent said paper stripV stack at which eachpaper strip with its attached carbon sheet is folded, mechanism fortransferring said uppermost paper strip and attached carbon sheet fromsaid paper strip stack to one folding station each of said transfermechanisms including an element engageable with the paper strip so as tobe'rigidly connected therewith until released therefrom for moving thepaper strip, a device at said folding station for folding the sectionsof said paper strip relative to each other Y in a desired manner saiddevice including a shoe Y for folding one paper strip section relativeVto another, mechanism for transferring the folded paper strip away fromsaid station, means for operating said transfer mechanisms so as tocause simultaneous movement of the paper strips from positioningandtransfer mechanisms and. said folding device so that each mastersetis automatically moved through said machine and each operating cycleof said machine will produce a finished duplicator master set. Y

10. A machine for assembling duplicator master sets of the type in whicha sheet of carbon paper is attached to and folded into a unitarypaper'jacket formed from a single strip of paper dividedinto a pluralityof interconnected end to end sections, including vertically movable'platform means for supporting a-plurality of stacked paper strips,vertically movable platform means for supporting a stack of carbon papersheets, mechanism for moving a single sheet of carbon paper from itsstack onto one section of the uppermost paper strip'of said paper stripstack, means for maintaining the vertical positions of said platforms insubstantially the same horizontal plane so as to maintain the uppermostVcarbon sheet land uppermost paper strip at a substantiallypre-determined elevation at all times, whereby the uppermost sheet ofcarbon paper and the uppermost paper strip are maintained in the properposition to enable said transfer mechanism to properly operate, a gluespotting device for applying glue to the .section of said paper strip onwhich said carbon sheet is positioned,"y so as to cause said carbonsheet to adhereto said paper strip section, means includ-V ing asubstantially flat surface adjacent the said paper strip platform forsupportingindividualV paper stripsfand attached carbon sheets for fold-ling, transfer mechanism for moving Vsaid uppermost paper strip andattached carbon sheet from said paper strip stack to saidsupportingmeans l .dat surface, a1 device adjacent said flat surface forfolding said paper strip sections relative to each other and in adesired manner, meansfor operating said transfer mechanisms so as tocause simultaneous movement of the paper strip from its stack to saidfolding device and a carbon sheet to a paper strip and synchronizingmechanism zo-ordinatingv the operation of said transfer mechanisms and"folding device Yso that each operating cycle of said machine willproduce an assembled duplicator master set.

Cil

ll. In a machine for assembling Yduplicator master sets of the type inwhich a sheet of carbon paper is attachedy to andfolded into'a unitarypaper jacket, formed from a single strip ofl paper which is divided intothree interconnected end Ato end sections, a rst folding station forsupporting'an individual paper strip with a carbon sheet attached to oneend section thereof, a

Vsecond folding station adjacent said nrst folding station` forsupporting a partially foldedrpaper strip, a transfer mechanism forsimultaneously moving an individual paper strip to said first foldingstation, a partially folded paper strip from said first folding stationto said second `folding station, and a finished master set away saidpaper 'strip over said intermediate paper their prior station to asubsequent station and 1 a carbon sheet to a paper stripand'synchronizing means for co-ordinating the operationof said stripsection, including a stationary folding slice,V

a movable folding shoe adapted to foldfsaid paper strip section oversaid; stationary foldingV shoe, and mechanism foroperating said movablefolding shoe, a device at said second folding station lfor folding' saidthird section over said other two 'section's, including an adjustablestationary fold- 17 ing shoe, means adjustably supporting saidstationary folding shoe so that the latter may be adjusted for foldingvarious size master sets. an adjustable movable folding shoe for foldingsaid paper strip section over said stationary folding shoe, andmechanism for operating said movable folding shoe and synchronizingmechanism coordinating the operation of said transfer mechanism andfolding devices so that each operating cycle of said mechanisms willproduce a properly folded duplicator master set'.

12. In a machine for assembling duplicator master sets of the type inwhich a sheet of carbon paper is attached to and folded into a unitarypaper jacket formed from a single strip of paper divided into aplurality of interconnected end to end sections, means for supportingone or more paper strips having a pressure transferable coating on onesection thereof, one or more folding stations adjacent said means,mechanism for transferring the uppermost paper strip from said means toone folding station, a device at said folding station for folding thesections of said paper strip relative to each other and in a desiredmanner, said device including a stationary folding shoe, a movablefolding shoe adapted to fold one section of said paper strip over saidstationary folding shoe, and mechanism for operating said movablefolding shoe, mechanism for transferring the folded paper strip awayfrom said station, means for operating said transfer mechanisms so as tocause simultaneous movement of the paper strips from their prior stationto a subsequent station and synchronizing means for co-ordinating theoperation of said transfer mechanism and folding device so that eachoperating cycle of said mechanisms will produce a properly foldedduplicator master set.

13. A machine for assembling duplicator master sets of the type in whicha sheet of carbon paper is attached to and folded into a unitary paperjacket formed from a single strip of paper divided into a plurality ofinterconnected end to end sections, including means for supporting astack of paper strips, means for supporting a stack of carbon sheets, adevice for glue-spotting 18 one section of the uppermost paper strip ofsaid stack, mechanism for transferring a single carbon sheet from itsstack and positioning it on said glue-spotted paper strip section sothat said carbon paper will adhere to said section, one or more foldingstations adjacent said paper strip stack, a device at said foldingstation for folding the sections of paper strip relative to each otherand in a desired manner, said device including a stationary foldingshoe, a movable folding shoe adapted to fold the paper strip over saidstationary folding shoe, and mechanism for operating said movablefolding shoe, transfer mecha- ERIC W. PETERSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 523,331 Dexter July 24, 1894527,009 Bazerque Oct. 2, 1894 552,366 Hardie, Jr. Dec. 31, 1895 722,879Owens Mar. 17, 1903 773,484 Ducklieb Oct. 25, 1904 774,726 Lewis Nov. 8,1904 778,637 Cottrell Dec. 27, 1904 1,947,664 Staude Feb. 20, 19342,089,513 Vaser Aug. 10, 1937 2,322,647 Luce June 22, 1943 2,520,322Mestre Aug. 29, 1950

